weak joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak joke" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a joke that is not funny or not well-received by the audience. Example: The comedian's performance was filled with weak jokes that fell flat with the audience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It was a relatively weak joke about sexual promiscuity.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Later he makes a weak joke, and we laugh even when there is not much air.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dropped 400 quid making a weak joke at a dead man's expense.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not content with that, he finished his report with a weak joke about a cat outside No 10.

The Guardian

But at least the Fiver has never been shown up by a weak joke about tomato ketchup.

The Guardian - Sport

When you call a thinker a "conservative communist", you sound as if you are making a weak joke.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Maybe I've just a sucker for weak jokes and over-the-top descriptions of food.

The Guardian - Books

It's not perfect: there are weak jokes, and fluffed ones.

The Guardian

Impatience with the superficialities of spin makes it essential that Gordon Brown forgets about false smiles, weak jokes and pastel-coloured ties.

The Guardian - Opinion

The make-up of the consortium that claimed victory this week in the battle for ABN AMRO, a Dutch bank, sounds like the stuff of weak jokes.

The Economist

It has been a beautifully fruitful relationship from the start, football's natural habitat of foaming rage, weak jokes and baseless gossip entirely suited to the medium.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a joke that misses the mark, consider using "weak joke" to subtly critique its lack of comedic impact. It offers a more nuanced assessment compared to simply stating it was "not funny".

Common error

Avoid using "weak joke" when you mean the joke was offensive or inappropriate, instead use "tasteless joke" or "offensive joke". "Weak" refers to the ineffectiveness of the joke, not its content.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak joke" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "weak" modifies the noun "joke". It serves to describe a joke that is ineffective, not particularly humorous, or poorly delivered. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weak joke" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe a joke that lacks humor or impact. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to negatively evaluate a joke's quality. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase carries a neutral register, making it appropriate for diverse contexts. While "weak joke" effectively conveys the ineffectiveness of a joke, alternative phrases like ""lame joke"" or ""unfunny joke"" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfunny joke

Directly states the lack of humor.

lame joke

Implies the joke is unoriginal and uninspired.

poor joke

Focuses on the substandard quality of the joke.

flat joke

Suggests the joke fell without generating laughter or amusement.

failed joke

Emphasizes that the joke did not achieve its intended effect.

feeble attempt at humor

Highlights the lack of success in trying to be funny.

tasteless joke

Highlights that the joke is offensive or insensitive.

half-hearted attempt at humor

Showcases the lack of enthusiasm or effort put into the joke.

inoffensive joke

Implies the joke lacks impact and is so tame it is not interesting.

mild jest

Indicates a gentle and not particularly amusing attempt at humor.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "weak joke"?

You can use alternatives like "lame joke", "poor joke", or "unfunny joke" depending on the context.

How to use "weak joke" in a sentence?

You can say: "The comedian told a "weak joke" that didn't get any laughs." or "His attempt at humor was just a "weak joke"."

Which is correct, "weak joke" or "bad joke"?

Both "weak joke" and "bad joke" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Bad joke" is a more general term, while "weak joke" specifically implies that the joke lacked impact or wasn't very funny.

What's the difference between "weak joke" and "tasteless joke"?

"Weak joke" refers to a joke that isn't funny, while "tasteless joke" refers to a joke that is offensive or inappropriate. They describe different aspects of the joke's quality.